World Cup Tips and Predictions

The 2018 FIFA World Cup - definitely the biggest event of the year, it’s just 99 days, 16 hours and 4 minutes away at the moment. A huge number of sports and football fans around the globe are waiting for this amazing event which takes place only once every four years. The best 32 national teams from all continents will fight for the most important football trophy in the world. This will be the 21st FIFA World Cup and it’s scheduled to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018. In addition, it will be the first World Cup held in Europe since the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Each FIFA World Cup edition have been unique so far and this one looks also interesting as a couple of big names such as Chile, Italy and the Netherlands haven’t qualified for this event, while Iceland and Panama are making their debut.

Although the World Cup is a long-awaited event for the football fans, but also for the punters. The majority of online bookmakers have already offered World Cup betting odds, new customers offers and enhanced odds for the first games, group winners and outright winners.

Just three months and a half separate us from the World Cup kick-off and as the market currently stands, the majority of the bookmakers are favouring Germany to defend their title. Germany are priced at odds 9/2 with William Hill, while Brazil are 5/1 with most bookies including Ladbrokes, Coral, Betstars, Betbright etc.

The draw was held on 1 December 2017 in Moscow where 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four. Each team must first a preliminary squad of 35 players and from this they must name a final squad of 23 players (including three goalkeepers).

Each team will stay at a different base camp where they train before and during the World Cup tournament. Check out our World Cup Tips here.

World Cup 2018 Schedule

Group Stage: June 14 to June 28

Last 16: June 30 to July 3

Quarter-finals: July 6 and July 7

Semi-final 1: July 10

Semi-final 2: July 11

Third place play-off: July 14

Final: July 15

There will be a total of 64 games played in 12 venues located in 11 cities:

World Cup 2018 betting tips and odds

Brazil World Cup odds

Brazil are the only South America national football team to have won a World Cup title in Europe, as they lifted the trophy in 1958 in Sweden. If we take a look at Brazil’s attacking core, it’s hard to see another nation more capable of outscoring them. Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho are expected to lead the attacking line, while Casemiro, Paulinho and William will be creating goalscoring chances from midfield. Their sole concern is their defence, although they have big names at the back such as Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, David Luiz and Marcelo. The Selecao will be looking to put their humiliating 7-1 defeat at the hands of Germany in the Semi-final of the 2014 World Cup and they will be looking to lift the trophy in Russia.

Germany World Cup betting odds

Germany are still favourites to lift the trophy in Russia despite the fact that they have been drawn in a tough group F alongside Sweden, Mexico and the Korea Republic. Germany have been looking for a prolific striker since the retirement of Miroslav Klose, but in Timoer Werner and Sandro Wagner, they might have just found their answer. Germany’s midfield is absolutely insane with star players in the shape of Sane, Muller, Draxler, Ozil, Kroos, Reus or Schurrle. All these players are more than capable of providing goals and firepower. Germany looked impeccable throughout the qualifying process for the 2018 World Cup, having won all ten games while scoring 43 goals and conceding just four.

France World Cup chances

France are the bookies’ third favourites to lift the trophy in Russia and this is mainly due to their squad full of talent. They were disappointedly beaten by Portugal in the Final of the Euro 2016 despite the fact they had a better team than the Portuguese. The likes of Martial, Mbappe, Lacazette, Dembele, Griezmann, Matuidi, Fekir, Lemar, Pogba or Coman are only a few of the names. France look solid in all departments and it will be no surprise to see them win the World Cup this summer.

Spain betting chances and odds

Spain are another team who will be looking to erase the memory of the 2014 World Cup. They did well to win three major tournaments in a row between 2008 to 2012 (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012), but their golden generation have passed. They still have the likes of veteran players such as Iniesta, Busquets and David Silva in midfield along with in-form players in the shape of Asensio and Isco. In attack, Spain can rely on the likes of David Costa and Alvaro Morata, while in defence they have Sergio Ramos, Pique and Azpilicueta.

Argentina betting odds

Argentina definitely have one of the most talented squads in the world with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain or Mauro Icardi. The defensive concerns will be the problem for Argentina this summer, but they did well to reach the World Cup 2014 Final with almost the same defenders. They have been drawn in an easy group alongside Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria and should have no trouble reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

Belgium chances and odds

Belgium are the team that have been hyped up for years ahead of the Euro 2017 tournament due to their amazing squad. Their team is full of talent with the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku, Mertens, Meunier, Origi etc. They have yet to prove they can produce football at the latter stage of a major tournament and they will face a difficult task against England in Group G.

England betting chances

England are priced at odds 16/1 with William Hill and Gareth Southgate has a huge job on his hands to guide the Three Lions to a decent performance after their humiliation at both World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016. England need to start their group in a positive manner and they will fight against Belgium for the top spot in a group alongside Tunisia and Panama. England have quality players within their squad, but they will definitely rely on Harry Kane, who have impressed at both club and national level over the past few years.

World Cup 2018 free bets, enhanced odds and new customer offers

The majority of online bookmakers have already offered World Cup betting odds, new customers offers and enhanced odds for the first games, group winners and outright winners. Populars bookmakers such as William Hill, Betbright, Jetbull, Netbet or Betstars are usually giving us the best free bets and enhanced odds for every major sport event around the globe. There will be loads of betting offers for this event as the World Cup 2018 is definitely the most important football tournament of the year. Here is a short list with the bookies' best sign-up offers and bonuses, and we will be looking to update the best free bets and new customer offers ahead of this huge event.